2014

2014 Newsletter

​Dear Friends & Supporters 2013 has yet again been a busy year for the Oliver Curd Trust and with your help and support we have managed to achieve our goals. The last couple of years have been particularly difficult for charities as well as individuals with the continuing tough economic climate.

As an organisation we have endeavoured to keep to our aim of providing holidays for families with children suffering from cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

We have achieved this goal with over 40 families enjoying holidays in our two caravans this year. Apart from the Trustees we have a great team of other volunteers who help us with fundraising events and cleaning of caravans. Without their support we would not be able fundraise and maintain our high standard.

​As well as our volunteers many individuals and organisations have recognised the benefits of the work undertaken by The Trust and raised money for us putting on some kind of event in their community or homes. This is amazing and we are so grateful.

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Farewell to Tracy Barnett as Chairperson 

For the last 3 years Tracy Barnett has worked tirelessly to get the Trust where it is today. Although Tracy has stepped down as Chairperson she is still a great supporter of the Trust and helps at events and in the cleaning of the holiday homes. Thank you Tracy for all your help and support and good luck with all your other ventures.

​Welcome to Dave Townsend as new Chairman 

Dave joined the Trust as a Trustee some 3 years ago and has been mainly looking after the organisation of events such as the Ball & Rocktober – now he has the Trustees to organise!!!

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​The Oliver Curd Trust and its Aims

It is important to recall why the Oliver Curd Trust was started and what the aims of the Trust are.

​The Trust was set up in 2008 by Sarah and Richard Curd, Oli’s parents, and friends and family after the sad loss of Oli in 2007 who died after a courageous battle with Ewing’s sarcoma. 

During the time Oli was ill Sarah and Richard had received a lot of support from different organisations and wanted not only to set something up in Oli’s memory but also to help other families with children with cancer or other life threatening illnesses and bereaved families. ​

With this in mind the Trust was formed and fundraising began and within a year the Trust had raised enough money to purchase a holiday home at Crowhurst Park near Battle. A year later enough money had been raised to purchase another holiday home at Combe Haven in Hastings. On average we provide 40 families with a much needed holiday each year.

On the 5th Anniversary of losing dear Oli it was decided by the Trust to ask Kipling Ward at the Conquest Hospital, Hastings if they had a Wish List. Whilst Oli was ill he and his family had spent a lot of time on Kipling Ward and wanted to find out if there was something special they needed. As they did not have an ECG machine of their own, it meant they had to take the children to another department to have an ECG. This was the thing that would help them most and in Jan 2013 we purchased the machine for them.

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​Fundraising Events

Mark Bilsby 

Mark Bilsby from Elphinstone Sports & Social Club put on a Pool marathon and raised an amazing £1005.

Major Series

Zoe Gilbert, Emma Morris, Becky Harward & Sarah Cooper all took part in the Major Series raising money for the Oliver Curd Trust

Just Property

Just Property of Hastings held a guess the sale price of a House competition. The kind winner donated £250 to the Trust which was presented to the Trustees in April 2013.

Sound Waves Choir

Sound Waves Choir of Hastings chose the Trust to be one of their charities for the year and with amazing concerts held they raised a fantastic £2000

Hastings Half Marathon

​30 people took up the challenge for this event. After last year being one of the hottest days, this year was one of the coldest but all went well and all our entrants made it to the finish line. A team from Kipling Ward at the Conquest ran for The Trust and we are very grateful for their donation and determination

Super-Market 

Sainsbury’s in Hastings Station Approach took us on as their charity for a year and by having collection boxes in store and holding cake sales and other events raised an amazing £1000 for the Trust

Iden Fete July 2013

The rain kept away and people came and supported us again. Our thanks to Richard Curd, John Barnett, Clive Wetherley-Moody and Sarah Curd.

Rocktober 

Rocktober ​was held for the second successive year at Rye Community College and was a great success raising £2400. Thanks to Tim and the 1066 Rockit Men and other bands it was a great evening. Thanks also to Steve from Rye butchers for the amazing barbeque.

Parachute jump 

A group of four took to the air and jumped out of a plane at 12000 feet!!!. Thanks to Dave Pierce, Emma Bourne, Jean Dengate and Sarah Curd.

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The Oliver Curd Christmas Party

The Christmas Party held in aid of The Oliver Curd Trust at The Kings Head Udimore organised by Danielle Roberts raised a fantastic £2200. Not only has Danielle organised this party, she has also championed the cleaning of our two caravans this year.

Rural Pastimes 

Rural Pastimes kindly presented us with £400 raised at their annual event at the Pestalozzi Village.

The George Hotel Rye ​

The hotel raised an amazing £1400 with gift aid through their booking donation scheme.

Christmas Cards

​For the first time this year The Oliver Curd Trust cards were sold locally in Rye Cards for Good Causes shop

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​Collecting Boxes

Many businesses kindly have our collection boxes on their premises. During the year these boxes raised over £2000. Our thanks to Fay Curd for taking on the role recently of collecting and replacing these.

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​STOP PRESS! 

As we go to press The Trust is in the process of purchasing a replacement holiday home at Crowhurst Park. The new home comes with a very high specification which we hope our families will enjoy

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Gift Aid 

Did you know that if you donate money to the Trust or sponsor someone in one of the events that we can get back an extra 25% from the taxman of any sum you give?

Over the year this adds up to a substantial figure for the Trust. The scheme is called Gift Aid and as long as you’re a UK taxpayer and have paid tax during the year then we can claim.

However we do need your help in making sure you complete the sponsor form correctly with your full name and HOME address, that way the taxman can identify who you are. The best bit is it doesn’t cost you a penny! If you need any help with this please contact us!